JUNIOR doctors took to the picket line today as all cover – including emergency care- was withdrawn for the first time in history.

From 8am, junior medics walked out of the Great Western Hospital in a 48 hour protest at a new contract from the Department of Health, due to be imposed this summer.

The industrial action – the fifth strike in four months – marks the first time doctors were joined by staff from the emergency department, with care gaps filled by consultants.

Dr Deeps Majumdar, a clinical teaching fellow at the hospital said the strike was a last resort for junior doctors across the town and country.

“It is impossible to negotiate when you have the threat of imposition hanging over you. This could have been resolved if the threat was removed, as it stands we are here again,” he said.

“It is upsetting to be standing here again, I don’t think anyone imagined we would be taking more, we hoped it would be resolved by now,

“I’ve been a junior doctor for seven years and I have never had a day off in all that time, except for this, I want to be in the hospital, not out here, but this needed to be done.

“Our patients are safe, they are supported, we know that.”

Dr Will Stevens, 26, who works in the emergency department, stepped straight onto the picket line after his 10-hour shift. He said the government must make headway in negotiating with the BMA.

“It’s all very well to sit down, have a cup of tea and a nice chat but we need to see results,” he said,

“The system is wrong and we don’t want to see the NHS workforce stretched thinly which is a danger now with this new contract.”

The doctors were bolstered by the show of solidarity from passing drivers who honked their horns and delivered food and supportive letter to the picket line.

As part of the strike action junior doctors delivered basic life support, basic paediatric life support and first aid training to volunteers and a mother and baby group.

South Swindon MP Robert Buckland said although he had great respect for junior doctors, strike action was not the answer.

“I and my family have the utmost respect for junior doctors and local health services and have no ill will towards them. I’m sad that things have become so bitter.

“I have spoken to junior doctors around their concerns and issues they have and tried to understand them which is of course the issue around Saturday pay. Many of the issues first raised have already been resolved. I do think the ball is in the BMA’s court. The answer just isn’t strike action

“The BMA need to show some leadership and agree to get back behind the table.

“I don’t think a seven day NHS is endangering patient safety, what is endangering patient safety is these strikes which are unnecessary action. “

The junior doctor’s protest began when the Department of Health announced a contract which could cut junior doctors pay by 40 percent and make them work much longer hours. Extra evening and Saturday pay will be lost as a result.

The contract, which will come into force in August will see junior doctors normal working week changed to include Saturday and stretch until 10pm every weeknight except Saturday and Sunday.